Qualified for all branches of service if waiver received?

[TomB]

I am currently a candidate for USAFA (nomination) and USNA (no nomination sadly). My #1 choice is to attend USNA to become a Marine Corps pilot and fly MV-22 Ospreys. I am, however, disqualified medically for my past history of asthma (take no medication, no attack since 4, and have a doctors note so I believe it will be waived) and being allergic to dairy. I may or may not decline an appointment to USAFA, if I am offered one, to achieve my dream of attending USNA to become a Marine Corps aviator. I would try to accomplish this by attending Norwich University, if I receive a TWE, and reapply next year. If was not able to join every branch of service, say the Marine Corps cannot accept me because I do not medically qualify, then I would be going to the Air Force. so my question is if I were to receive a waiver, would I be eligible to join any branch of service? I would hate to go to Norwich then hopefully go to USNA just to have them say you cannot become a Marine because you do not qualify medically. If that happened I would feel terrible declining an appointment, if offered one, to USAFA. Can anyone answer this?

 

[kinnem]

Each academy and ROTC program have their own medical requirements and each determines whether to grant waivers. So... If you're cleared for one service commissioning route you are approved for that route only. The approval for anything else is a separate process but they will use the same DoDMERB exam.

 

[Capt MJ]

I am currently a candidate for USAFA (nomination) and USNA (no nomination sadly). My #1 choice is to attend USNA to become a Marine Corps pilot and fly MV-22 Ospreys. I am, however, disqualified medically for my past history of asthma (take no medication, no attack since 4, and have a doctors note so I believe it will be waived) and being allergic to dairy. I may or may not decline an appointment to USAFA, if I am offered one, to achieve my dream of attending USNA to become a Marine Corps aviator. I would try to accomplish this by attending Norwich University, if I receive a TWE, and reapply next year. If was not able to join every branch of service, say the Marine Corps cannot accept me because I do not medically qualify, then I would be going to the Air Force. so my question is if I were to receive a waiver, would I be eligible to join any branch of service? I would hate to go to Norwich then hopefully go to USNA just to have them say you cannot become a Marine because you do not qualify medically. If that happened I would feel terrible declining an appointment, if offered one, to USAFA. Can anyone answer this?

Each Service’s missions differ, thus the operational environments differ, thus the policy on what DODMERB DQs will be waived will vary by Service and often by Commissioning pipeline.

 

[TomB]

I understand. I’m just in a tricky situation because my dream is USMC aviation and if I’m ineligible to do it thwn the next best thing is USAF for me or Navy aviator. If USNA were to give me a waiver (again thinking ahead) then would I be eligivle or would I not know till I attend the academy?

 

[kinnem]

You don't have a nomination to USNA so barring some miracle, you will not receive an appointment there this year. I'm sure your realize that. If you're determined to be a USMC aviator you might look at enrolling in NROTC Marine Option at a college to which you have been accepted (assuming at least one of them has an NROTC unit). You can get a contract for an aviator slot as early as your sophomore year. You would have to at least achieve Advanced Standing by your junior year, if not receive a scholarship earlier. There is no guarantee you would get the waiver but it gives you some time to find out and puts you on the path. You can always re-apply to USNA next year if your heart is set on that.

Or you can take the bird in hand and attend USAFA. You'll need to decide what's most important to you.

 

[NavyHoops]

You will not know if you are Qualified medically unless USNA or NROTC submits you for a waiver. Of course this puts you in a tough spot. Lay out the options, risk, etc with your parents and ensure you have back up plans and if/when situations worked out. Good luck.